Den de voice say, rightathisyear—­“W-h-o—­g-o-t—­m-y
g-o-l-d-e-n arm?” (You must wail it out
very plaintively and accusingly; then you stare steadily
and impressively into the face of the farthest-gone
auditor —­a girl, preferably—­and
let that awe-inspiring pause begin to build itself
in the deep hush. When it has reached exactly
the right length, jump suddenly at that girl and yell,
“You’ve got it!”)

If you’ve got the pause right, she’ll
fetch a dear little yelp and spring right out of her
shoes. But you must get the pause right;
and you will find it the most troublesome and aggravating
and uncertain thing you ever undertook.

GENERAL WASHINGTON’S NEGRO BODY-SERVANT

A Biographical Sketch

The stirring part of this celebrated colored man’s
life properly began with his death—­that
is to say, the notable features of his biography began
with the first time he died. He had been little
heard of up to that time, but since then we have never
ceased to hear of him; we have never ceased to hear
of him at stated, unfailing intervals. His was
a most remarkable career, and I have thought that its
history would make a valuable addition to our biographical
literature. Therefore, I have carefully collated
the materials for such a work, from authentic sources,
and here present them to the public. I have
rigidly excluded from these pages everything of a doubtful
character, with the object in view of introducing
my work into the schools for the instruction of the
youth of my country.

The name of the famous body-servant of General Washington
was George. After serving his illustrious master
faithfully for half a century, and enjoying throughout
his long term his high regard and confidence, it became
his sorrowful duty at last to lay that beloved master
to rest in his peaceful grave by the Potomac.
Ten years afterward —­in 1809—­full
of years and honors, he died himself, mourned by all
who knew him. The Boston Gazette of that
date thus refers to the event:

George, the favorite body-servant of the lamented
Washington, died in Richmond, Va., last Tuesday, at
the ripe age of 95 years. His intellect was unimpaired,
and his memory tenacious, up to within a few minutes
of his decease. He was present at the second
installation of Washington as President, and also at
his funeral, and distinctly remembered all the prominent
incidents connected with those noted events.

From this period we hear no more of the favorite body-servant
of General Washington until May, 1825, at which time
he died again. A Philadelphia paper thus speaks
of the sad occurrence: